AFTER salvaging a point with a late show against Celtic at the weekend, the Arabs were at it again when Johnny Russell pounced with six minutes left to grab the three points.

PETER HOUSTON last night hailed the never-say-die spirit that is helping Dundee United pull away from danger.

The Tannadice boss had Johnny Russell’s 84th-minute header to thank for a win that takes the Taysiders up to seventh place.

Two goals in the closing stages against Celtic on Sunday was followed by another late show at Fir Park.

He said: “This result tells me everything about the character of the side. People might have questioned our character earlier and we questioned it ourselves.

“But I was delighted to win on a difficult night. Both sides tried to serve up good football and one bit of quality won it.

“There were spells when Motherwell were the better side and then it was us on top. I’m sure a lot of people felt it was going to end 0-0 but I keep telling my players to keep putting the ball in the box.

“It’s not the first time Johnny has scored a goal like that. I don’t think he tried to head across goal, he was trying to score.

“That’s our sixth clean sheet this season and that isn’t bad for a side which has been second bottom.

“Three points make a big difference and we were the team that got the break.”

Motherwell boss Stuart McCall said: “We will play a lot worse than that and win and I find it difficult to say anything negative about my players.

“We played some good football in poor conditions but when it came to chances, they took one and we didn’t take any.

“We could also have had a penalty when Jamie Murphy was taken out by Keith Watson who didn’t get any of the ball.”